Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is already seeing good things from Maik Nawrocki in training.
The pair started Celtic‘s Premiership opener together last Saturday and are widely expected to form a strong partnership over the coming months.
Nawrocki arrived at the club a fortnight ago, with fellow central-defender Carl Starfelt departing this week.
The Hoops are expected to replace the Sweden international but he will be missed as far as Carter-Vickers is concerned, even if departures are a part of football.
“It’s always sad when you lose a team-mate,” he told the media at Friday’s press conference. (Celtic YouTube)
“Especially someone you played so closely with. Obviously, for him it was the right decision to move and we wish him nothing but the best.
“All defensive partnerships take a a bit of time, that’s just the nature of the position. For me it’s about trying to focus on building connections with new team-mates.
“[Maik] is a really good player. You can see in training the qualities that he has. He just needs time more than anything. For me to know what he is going to do, and him to know what I am going to do.”
So it’s a case of the revolving door for CCV and Celtic. He had a terrific partnership with Starfelt for two seasons with the pair never losing a league match they started together.
But things move on. Nawrocki is likely to be his partner for the foreseeable future and it’s pleasing that the Pole is already showing his quality. Someone like Gustaf Lagerbielke could also have something to say in the future.
Regardless of who he’s playing beside, the Celtic support will just be delighted that the big American is back.
He is undoubtedly one of our most important players. He will be integral to what we’re trying to achieve this season.
In other news, Rocco Vata could be allowed to depart on loan this summer but only if he signs a new contract first
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